The next big Spider-Man crossover is finally here, as Amazing Spider-Man/Venom: Death Spiral #1 fittingly launches the “Death Spiral” storyline. It doesn’t pull any punches, either. From the very first page, readers will see the handiwork of the mysterious Torment, a serial killer who’s targeting a wide range of victims. Torment’s path of terror will grow to involve Peter Parker, the Amazing Spider-Man; Eddie Brock, who’s bonded with the Carnage symbiote; and Mary Jane Watson, aka the new Venom.
The trio is dealing with their own issues, most of which do not involve a bloodthirsty psychopath. Peter’s been catapulted across space, and while he was gone, his not-so-friendly neighborhood clone Ben Reilly took over his life as Peter Parker, while Norman Osborn attempted to fill his shoes as Spider-Man. MJ’s been adjusting to life as Venom, including a fight with Madame Mask and A.I.M. Eddie is struggling to point Carnage in the right direction by targeting serial killers, but the crimson menace now knows Peter Parker is Spider-Man…and there’s no telling what he’ll do with that information.
It’s a lot to kick off a storyline that weaves through three different titles. Thankfully, Joe Kelly (who’s writing the current Amazing Spider-Man run), Al Ewing (who’s writing Venom), and Charles Soule (who penned the short but compelling Eddie Brock: Carnage). Each writer handles their character’s section, yet Death Sprial‘s narrative never feels choppy or overstuffed. There’s even a section at the bottom of each page tracking down Torment’s victims, and by the end of the issue, fans will learn what connects these victims and how it draws our web-slinging trio into action. There’s also the emotional heft to consider, as Peter races to pick up the pieces of his life while Eddie has a less-than-warm reunion with his son, Dylan.
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Death Spiral #1 is also a very gorgeous-looking comic, courtesy of Jesus Saiz. Saiz brings his painterly style to the table and gives each character their own distinct style. Spidey’s section features an acrobatic grace as he swings through the air; Eddie’s section mostly features him perched on rooftops or hiding in shadows, constantly tormented by Carnage’s mocking monologue. MJ is somewhere in between; half of her profile is in light and the other half in shadows, reflecting her bond with the Venom symbiote. It’s thanks to Matt Hollingsworth that each character takes on a distinct sheen – Spidey’s red and blue stands out from the blends of red and black in the Carnage section, which itself differs from the lights and shadows in the Venom section.
If there’s one downside to Death Spiral, it’s that Torment himself isn’t really a fleshed-out character, especially compared to previous Spider-Man and Venom villains. Knull made his grand entrance in Donny Cates and Ryan Stegman’s Venom by piloting a massive symbiote dragon; Morlun announced his presence in J. Michael Straczynski’s Amazing Spider-Man by punching Spidey through a taxi cab. If you want a villain to stand out, their first appearance should make an oomph. Apart from one section at the end, Torment hasn’t made that oomph.
Amazing Spider-Man/Venom: Death Spiral #1 blends strong character work with stunning art, creating a solid foundation for a crossover. If the creatives can keep up that momentum, Spider-fans will be in for a wild ride.
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